Risk of Indoor Tanning

Thirty-five percent of American adults, 59 percent of college students, and 17 percent of teens have reported using a tanning bed in their lifetime.1

Approximately 7.8 million adult women and 1.9 million adult men in the United States tan indoors.2

10.6 percent of all female high school students have tanned indoors, and 15.2 percent of Caucasian female high school students have tanned indoors.3

Nearly 70 percent of tanning salon patrons are Caucasian girls and young women, and melanoma is increasing faster in women 15-29 years old than in young men of the same age.4-5

The indoor tanning industry’s revenue was estimated to be $2.6 billion in 2010.6

Risks of indoor tanning

The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization's International Agency of Research on Cancer panel have declared ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, to be a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).7

oResearch indicates that UV light from the sun and tanning beds can both cause melanoma and increase the risk of a benign mole progressing to melanoma.8

Indoor tanning equipment, which includes all artificial light sources, including beds, lamps, bulbs, booths, etc., emits UVA and UVB radiation. The amount of the radiation produced during indoor tanning is similar to that of the sun, and in some cases might be stronger.9-10

Evidence from multiple studies has shown that exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.11-17

oResearchers estimate that indoor tanning may cause upwards of 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year.1, 14

oHigher melanoma rates among young females compared to young males may be due in part to widespread use of indoor tanning among females.18

Using indoor tanning beds before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 59 percent; the risk increases with each use.11, 17, 19-20

oWomen younger than 30 are six times more likely to develop melanoma if they tan indoors.21

oResearch demonstrates that even people who do not burn after indoor tanning or sun exposure are at an increased risk of melanoma if they tan indoors.22

oIndoor tanning before age 24 increases one’s risk of developing basal cell carcinoma by age 50.23

Studies have demonstrated that exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning damages the DNA in the skin cells. Excessive exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning can lead to premature skin aging, immune suppression, and eye damage, including cataracts and ocular melanoma. 16, 24-27

oA recent investigation estimated that 3,234 injuries related to indoor tanning — including burns, loss of consciousness and eye injuries — were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments every year from 2003 to 2012.28

In addition to the above-mentioned risks, frequent, intentional exposure to UV light may lead to tanning addiction.29-30

Indoor tanning beds/lamps should be avoided and should not be used to obtain vitamin D because UV radiation from indoor tanning is a risk factor for skin cancer. Vitamin D can be obtained by a eating a healthy diet and by taking oral supplements.

Legislation and regulations

In May 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new regulations strengthening warnings for indoor tanning devices. These regulations include:

oA strong recommendation against the use of tanning beds by minors under 18.

oThe reclassification of tanning beds and sunlamps from Class I to a Class II medical devices, which means they are considered "moderate to high risk." The FDA mandates additional oversight of Class II devices, requiring manufacturers to provide more safety assurances.

oLabeling that:

?Clearly informs users about the risks of using tanning beds

?Warns frequent users of sunlamps to be regularly screened for skin cancer.

?Alerts users that tanning lamps are not recommended for people under 18 years old.

In December 2015, the FDA proposed an age restriction on indoor tanning for minors under the age of 18, as well as a risk acknowledgement form that all adults must sign before using indoor tanning devices.

California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas and Vermont have passed laws that prohibit minors under the age of 18 from indoor tanning.

Oregon and Washington have passed laws prohibiting minors under the age of 18 years old from using indoor tanning devices, unless a prescription is provided.

Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have passed legislation banning minors under the age of 17 from using tanning devices.

Read the Academy position statement on indoor tanning.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association opposes indoor tanning and supports a ban on the production and sale of indoor tanning equipment for nonmedical purposes.

The American Academy of Dermatology supports the WHO recommendation that minors should not use indoor tanning equipment because indoor tanning devices emit UVA and UVB radiation, and because overexposure to UV radiation can lead to the development of skin cancer.

Unless and until the FDA bans the sale and use of indoor tanning equipment for nonmedical purposes, the Academy supports restrictions for indoor tanning facilities, including:

oNo person or facility should advertise the use of any UVA or UVB tanning device using wording such as “safe,” “safe tanning,” “no harmful rays,” “no adverse effect,” or similar wording or concepts.

The AADA commends the FDA for taking action to prohibit the use of any sunlamp product by minors under the age of 18 years.

11The International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group on artificial ultraviolet (UV) light and skin cancer "The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review.” International Journal of Cancer. 2007 March 1;120:111-1122.